Couscous is crushed durum wheat semolina formed into small granules or spheres. It's commonly served in North African, Moroccan, Tunisian, and Algerian cuisine. Cousous can be used as rice or potato. Although couscous was traditionally hand-rolled, these days it's made by machine: Coarsely-ground durum wheat (semolina) is moistened and tossed with fine wheat flour until it forms tiny, round balls.